History in Jeju: Records Fall as William Li Ships the Main Event

By Samantha Doyle

11 Feb 2026

Samantha Doyle 11 Feb 2026

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APT 2026 kicks off with record-breaking 1,718 entries in South Korea.
Canadian amateur William Li wins $402,535 in the Main Event.
APT celebrates 20 years, setting new milestones in Jeju.

The 2026 Asian Poker Tour (APT) season is off to a scorching start, and the Jeju Classic has already established itself as the series to beat. Headline results from the weekend confirmed that the Main Event drew a massive 1,718 entries, making it the largest international poker tournament ever held in South Korea.

While the stats tell a story of regional growth, the narrative at the table was all about William Li. The Canadian amateur turned a marathon week into a $402,535 payday, proving that even in a field packed with Asia's most dangerous pros, the "proud amateur" can still walk away with the gold.

A 20-Year Anniversary Masterclass

As the APT celebrates its two-decade milestone in 2026, the Jeju stop served as the perfect opening act. The $2.3 million prize pool in the Main Event was just one of many records to tumble; new high-water marks were also set for the Mini Main (812 entries) and the Ultra Stack High Roller (312 entries).

APT Jeju Main Event 2026 — APT Jeju Classic 2026 Main Event

This "boom year" energy was palpable throughout the Landing Casino, as players from across the globe flocked to Jeju Shinhwa World to participate in what has become the most prestigious tour in the Asian market.

Skill and Luck on the Final Day

The final table was a theater of high-stakes drama, beginning with the unfortunate exit of Yuefeng Pan, who started the day with just a fraction of a small blind.

Li skilfully navigated the ensuing chaos, surviving a close call against Romania’s Christian Tabac by catching a necessary card on the river to keep his tournament life intact.

In heads-up play, Li faced off against Japan's Shintaro Sato in a battle of persistence versus aggression. After successfully picking off a massive bluff from Sato to take the lead, Li never looked back, eventually sealing the win and a free seat in the APT Championship later this year.

APT Jeju Classic 2026 Final Table Standings

Rank	Player	Country	Prize (USD)
1	William Li	Canada	$402,535
2	Shintaro Sato	Japan	$224,950
3	Christian Tabac	Romania	$157,305
4	Lei Zhang	China	$114,000
5	Zu You Wang	China	$90,825
6	Quang Minh Nguyen	Vietnam	$72,265
7	Arita Naohiro	Japan	$55,220
8	Haohui Ma	China	$38,970
9	Yuefeng Pan	China	$29,800